Commonly Used (But Unofficial) Adjectival Grades? What About The Proofs?

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Author	Replies: 4 / Views: 1,420
4504 Valued Member United States 379 Posts	Posted 09/20/2018 11:53 pm Hi gang Ok, it is somewhat agreed upon that such terms have validity in the Coin World. Adjectival grades are not "official" grades, like on the Sheldon scale. I once received an ungraded coin described on the coa as "Brilliant Uncirculated" (BU). Sent it to NGC, who changes the BU to an actual grade, which in my case was the "MS 67" (Mint State). The thing is that this seems to refer to uncirculated BU/MS coins, MS-60 to MS-70. Does the same Adjectival grades apply to uncirculated Proof coins, in terms, as they seem to mirror the descriptions for the MS Grades. Would a 67 PR (or PF) (Proof) coin be considered or not considered in similar terms as a adjectival grade as a ... 1. Superb Gem Uncirculateda 2. Superb Gem Uncirculated Proof 3. or none of the above... Adjectival grades from Uncirculated (MS-60, MS-61, MS-62) to Perfect Uncirculated (MS-70) apply only to MS coins. Proofs have no such similar adjectival or numerical UNOFFICAL grade terms. See the link and scroll down to about the middle of the page to see this topic. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheld...rading_scale We have all seen "self graded" coins such as a adjectival "gem uncirculated" coin as described by the seller only to come back from TPG as a "Choice Uncirculated" in a equivalent numerical grade or something similar. thanks... mike I would be curious as to your thoughts. Edited by 4504 09/20/2018 11:57 pm Report this Post to the Staff

Alpha2814 Pillar of the Community United States 2023 Posts	Posted 09/21/2018 01:28 am Proof coins are almost always uncirculated, so that would be redundant (or the technical term would be "impaired" for circulated/otherwise damaged proof coins). I have seen "gem" used to describe proof coins -- there are nearly 20,000 hits on ebay just searching for "gem proof". The glossary at Dave's Collectible Coins defines "gem" as "very nice and will have very few flaws and marks". Many of the proof coins available on that site are listed as "gem". But any such unofficial term is pretty subjective. In many cases, we'd likely agree that a coin looks nice or it doesn't. We may or may not agree on what term to apply. Sellers will typically overstate the appeal. Personally, I'd rather let condition of the coin speak for itself. Edited by Alpha2814 09/21/2018 01:29 am Report this Post to the Staff
basebal21 Bedrock of the Community 13014 Posts	Posted 09/21/2018 01:33 am The old school terms like BU apply to both MS or proofs. You just see it a lot less on proofs because they're generally either modern where sellers don't put grades on them, or they're old where most of those are actually graded since single points can be a big difference in price. For the most part you see the old terms on more generic things like common date common grade morgans where the price difference is minimal over a couple of grades. Most sellers will actually grade anything they believe would get the extra point or two necessary for a significant price difference. Report this Post to the Staff
kanga Pillar of the Community United States 5825 Posts	Posted 09/21/2018 08:56 am I see it as a matter of semantics. Since proof coins were never intended to be circulated the terms BU/Unc/Uncirculated don't quite apply. Are there proof coins that show wear? Yep, sure are. But I strongly suspect that a very high percentage of them got that way from poor storage handling, not circulation. It's just that there's been no convenient way to describe them "adjectivally" developed except with the use of "uncirculated" in its various numismatic forms. Hence the use of Sheldon grades (PF-65, PF-45, etc.) And collectors DO want to know how good their proof coins are. Compare prices of PF-70 vs. PF-69 (or lower). Report this Post to the Staff
basebal21 Bedrock of the Community 13014 Posts	Posted 09/21/2018 10:35 am Quote: . And collectors DO want to know how good their proof coins are. Compare prices of PF-70 vs. PF-69 (or lower). That's only for graded coins and more specially modern graded coins where the terms he asked about as almost never used on a slab. No one should ever pay a 70 price for a raw coin Report this Post to the Staff
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